Home made Heroin : New recipe from Yeast?

Scientists are learning to make opiates (for morphine) using genetically-modified yeast, instead of more expensive poppy flowers.

Can heroin now be made at home, from yeast? And how big of a problem is this?

Scienists have been working to genetically alter yeast in order to find a cheaper way to develop opiate pain killers. Heroin is made from poppy, as are opiate analgesics such as morphine. If scientists can genetically modify yeast to replace poppy, they reduce the cost of producing these drugs.

Will they also create a new recipe for heroin that can be made at home, from something as simple as yeast? It's not likely, say those who know the science.

There are approximately 18 steps to chemically produce opiates. The process is complex and not fully understood. This new research accomplishes just one of those steps, and therefore scientists are not raising alarms about home-brewed heroin any time soon. The research causing a stir appears in DeLoache, W. C. et al. Nature Chem. Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.1816 (2015), and was reported in Nature (http://www.nature.com/news/engineered-yeast-paves-way-for-home-brew-heroin-1.17566#/b1).

Some law enforcement and some caring addiction professionals are asking society to “get out in front” of this development, to prevent such a nightmare scenario as cheap home-made heroin.

About Ira Levy

Ira Levy the National Marketing and PR Director for Sunrise Detox Centers, and is based in Florida. He began his career in the substance abuse industry in 1992, after seeing recovery work in his own life. Ira loves to contribute back and help those currently struggling with addiction.